FR2812261A1 - Height adjuster mounting for motor vehicle steering wheel has torsion spring with branch engaging locking teeth on opposing component - Google Patents

Abstract

The height adjuster mounting for a motor vehicle steering assembly has a torsion spring (200) mounted on the height adjuster assembly or the steering column (100,300). The spring has a branch (220) which projects to come into contact with locking teeth (310) on the other of the adjuster assembly or steering column. The torsion spring can have one or more coils.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of column tops of

motor vehicle steering.

  More specifically, the present invention relates to means of

fixing such assemblies.

  Numerous control assemblies for the top of a motor vehicle steering column and numerous fixing means for

these have been proposed.

  In particular, numerous means of fixing motor vehicle steering column top assemblies have been proposed based on screwing systems associated with means allowing angular adjustment. However, the devices hitherto proposed do not give

  totally satisfied, especially because of their complexity.

  The object of the present invention is to propose new means

of fixation.

  The object of the present invention is in particular to propose fixing means of simple structure, allowing easy mounting and

can be automated on vehicle.

  This object is achieved in the context of the present invention by means of a fixing device for a control assembly for the top of the steering column of a motor vehicle comprising a torsion spring mounted on one of the assembly or of the column and comprising a projecting branch capable of engaging with a locking toothing provided on

  the other of the column or the whole.

  According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the winding of the spring has its axis perpendicular to the axis of the steering column. According to yet another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the spring comprises two windings connected to one another by said projecting branch forming a median U-shaped pin. According to another advantageous characteristic of the present invention, the spring is mounted on the assembly of command while the

  locking ramp is provided on the top of the steering column.

  The present invention also relates to the control assemblies for the top of the steering column thus equipped. Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention

  will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, and

  look at the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting example and in which: - Figure I shows a schematic view in axial section of a device according to the present invention, in the rest position, before assembly of the assembly of control on the top of the steering column, - Figures 2, 3 and 4 show similar views of the same device during three successive assembly steps, - Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the same device before assembly, - Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the device after assembly, and - Figure 7 shows another perspective view of the device,

  before assembly, illustrating in particular the torsion spring.

  The system illustrated in the appended figures, intended to constitute the top of a motor vehicle steering column comprises a control assembly 100 equipped with a torsion spring 200 and a steering column 300 equipped with an interface 310 provided with locking means. The control assembly 100 and the top of the column 300 can be the subject of numerous variant embodiments. The illustration of these means given in the appended figures should therefore not be considered

as limiting.

  The torsion spring 200 comprises two coaxial windings 210 connected to each other by a U-shaped center pin 220 and projecting in a generally radial direction relative to the axis of the windings, tangentially to them. The two windings 210 terminate in end branches 230 which are preferably rectilinear, also projecting in a generally radial direction with respect to the axis of the windings, tangential thereto. The two windings 210 are supported with their axis 212 perpendicular to the axis 0-0 of the steering column by two drums 110 of

  complementary diameter from material on the set 100.

  The two end branches 230 are adapted to engage complementary locking stops 130 provided on the assembly 100. The pin 220 in turn cooperates with a prestress stop 120 provided on the assembly 100 and is designed moreover to engage with the locking means 310 provided on the column

of management.

  The locking stops 130 and the preload stop 120 are provided respectively on either side of the barrel 110 ensuring the support of the

spring 200.

  Preferably, the locking stops 130 are formed of two concave notches formed on the top of a pallet 132 formed integrally on the assembly 100 substantially parallel to the axis 0-O. The two notches forming the locking stop 130 are open towards the bottom of the steering column. The prestress stop 120 is in turn formed by a wall substantially parallel to the axis O-0 formed integrally on the assembly 100. However, it will be noted that the wall 120 preferably has a surface 122 tangential to the windings of the spring and

  inclined with respect to the axis 0-0, on which the pin 220 rests.

  The position of the middle pin 220 and the end branches 230 on the windings 210 is such that when the end branches 230 are placed in the concave notches forming a locking stop 130, the middle branch 220 rests on the stop 120 and the spring is

  placed in controlled prestress.

  On the other hand, when the end branches 230 are withdrawn from the concave notches forming a locking stop 130 and placed freely

  against the sides of the pallet 132, the spring 200 is released.

  The locking interface 310 provided on the steering column 300 essentially consists of a locking tooth. This can

  be the subject of numerous variant embodiments.

  Preferably, this locking tooth has a ramp 312 opposite the pin 220, which progressively approaches the axis O-O in the direction of the bottom of the steering column. This ramp 312 leads to

  a locking face 314 generally perpendicular to the axis O-O.

  In addition, relative centering means are preferably provided.

  and positioning between the assembly 100 and the steering column 300.

  These centering means are preferably formed of complementarily shaped structures oriented parallel to the direction of relative engagement of the assembly 100 on the steering column 300, ie parallel to the axis OO according to the particular embodiment illustrated on the attached figures. More precisely still according to the particular embodiment shown in the appended figures, these centering means comprise an axial rib 150 parallel to the axis O- O and integral with the underside of the assembly 100, adapted to penetrate a slot

  complementary 350 formed on the top of column 300.

  Of course, the reverse arrangement is possible in the sense that a protruding element can be provided on the top of the column 300 adapted for

  penetrate a complementary slot integral with the assembly 100.

  To use the fixing device which has just been described, we proceed

basically as follows.

  The spring 200 is positioned on the assembly 100, its central pin 220 resting on the prestress stop 120 and its branches

  end 230 being placed in engagement on the locking stops 130.

  The assembly 100 is then presented opposite the top of the column 300, the assembly 100 being precentered on the top of the column 300 thanks to

  the engagement of the rib 150 in the complementary slot 350.

  Of course if necessary, this rib 150 and the complementary slot 350 can be split or multiplied in the form of several

separate segments.

  It then suffices to move the assembly 100 in translation parallel to the axis OO in approaching the top of the column 300. During this operation, as can be seen on the comparative examination of FIGS. 1 and 2, the middle pin 220 slides on the ramp 312. Again, of course, the ramp 312 can be split or multiplied in the form of multiple segments capable of correctly guiding the pin 220 without, however,

  cover the entire length of the top of it.

  At the end of assembly as seen in FIG. 3, the top of the pin 220 escapes from the ramp 312 and takes position against the face of

lock 314.

The assembly is then completed.

  To unlock the assembly 100, it suffices to act on the ends of the branches 230 to remove the latter from the locking notches 130. The pivoting of the branches 230 of the spring 200 thus released then switches

  the pin 220 out of range of the locking face 314.

  Those skilled in the art will understand that the device which has just been described allows assembly which can be easily automated, automatic, without tools,

  fast, without adjustment, and easily removable.

  It should also be noted that the stress exerted by the spring 200 on the interface 310 at the top of the column generates two forces F and F1 shown diagrammatically in FIG. 3: the force F oriented parallel to the axis 0-O in the direction of the assembly 100 generates a stress between the assembly 100 and the top of the column 300 tending to press the assembly 100 against the top of the column 300; The force F1 is oriented perpendicular to the axis OO and radially towards the outside of the latter and tends to press the rib (s) against one face of the complementary slots 350. Thus, the stress applied by the spring 200 makes it possible to get a repository without any angular play. It will also be noted that in the context of the present invention, the device which has just been described allows automatic electrical connection between electrical contacts 370 provided on the top of the steering column 300 and complementary electrical contacts provided for example on a printed circuit 170 carried by the assembly 100, or

all equivalent means.

  In this case, the force F applied by the spring 200 must be greater than the elastic preload of the contacts 370 and / or of complementary contacts provided on the assembly 100 to ensure a connection

reliable electric.

  According to the embodiment which has just been described, the spring 200 is integral with the removable assembly 100 while the interface 310 is provided

  on the top of the steering column 300.

  However, the reverse arrangement is possible, that is to say that one can provide the spring 200 equipped with its locking pin 220 on the top of the steering column, and the complementary interface 310 on

the removable assembly 100.

  Of course, the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiment which has just been described but extends to any variant

conforms to his spirit.

  In particular, the present invention can be applied to the fixing of any control assembly for the top of the steering column of a motor vehicle, in particular but not exclusively an assembly comprising electrical switching means. The present invention allows in particular perfect positioning, centering, blocking in rotation of the control assembly by simultaneously generating a stress along the axis of the column making it possible to compensate for any possible play as well as if necessary the antagonistic effort of an electrical connection, while

  keeping a good alignment to the engagement.

  The stress along the axis of the aforementioned column is due to the fact that in the engagement position, the pin 220 is not strictly parallel to the axis OO but inclined relative to the latter, deviating from the axis OO in the direction of the apex 222 of the pin 220, since it rests on the surface 122. Typically, according to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the appended figures, in the assembly position the pin 220 is thus

  inclined about 200 relative to the axis O-O, like the face 122.

Claims (15)

  1. A fixing device for a control assembly for the top of a motor vehicle steering column comprising a torsion spring (200) mounted on one of the assembly (100) or of the column (300) and comprising a branch ( 220) projecting capable of engaging with a locking toothing (310) provided on the other of the steering column (300) or all (100).   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the torsion spring (200) has at least one winding (210) whose axis   (212) is perpendicular to the axis O-O of the steering column.   3. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by the   causes the torsion spring (200) to have two coaxial windings (210) interconnected by the projecting branch (220) formed by a U-shaped middle pin.   4. Device according to one of claims I to 3, characterized by the   that the ends (230) of the winding (210) of the torsion spring are formed of generally rectilinear branches projecting in a   radial general direction with respect to the axis (212) of the winding.   5. Fastening device according to one of claims I to 4,   characterized by the fact that it comprises two concave notches forming a locking stop (130) adapted to receive the ends (230) of   the winding of the torsion spring (200).   6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the   fact that it includes a preload stop (120) able to serve as a support for   the projecting branch (220) of the torsion spring.   7. Device according to one of claims I to 6, characterized by the   the locking teeth (310) include a ramp (312) inclined with respect to the axis of the steering column and a face of   locking (314) orthogonal to this axis.   8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the   fact that it comprises means for relative centering between the assembly (100) and the steering column (300) formed of structures with additional shape (150, 350).   9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by the   in the assembly position, the projecting branch (220) of the spring   torsion is inclined relative to the axis O-O.   10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that in the assembly position, the projecting branch (220) of the torsion spring is   inclined by about 20 relative to the axis O-O.   11. Fastening device according to one of claims 1 to 10,   characterized in that the assembly (100) and the top of the column (300) have complementary electrical contacts engaged during of the assembly.   12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the assembly (100) carries electrical contacts on a printed circuit (170).   13. Device according to one of claims 1 1 and 12, characterized by   the fact that at least some of the electrical contacts are placed under elastic stress and that the torsion spring (200) generates thereon,   after assembly, an effort greater than this constraint.   14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by   the fact that the torsion spring is mounted on the control assembly (100) while the locking teeth (310) are provided on the top of the steering column.   15. Control assembly for the top of a motor vehicle steering column comprising a fixing device in accordance with one   of claims I to 14, said assembly carrying a torsion spring   (200) comprising a projecting branch (220) capable of engaging with a locking toothing (310) provided on the top of a column of direction (300).